The Michigan Department of Transportation is taking it easy on motorists this holiday weekend by lifting traffic restrictions on 110 of the 145 projects under construction statewide. The relief will begin at 3 p.m. tomorrow and continue until 6 a.m., July 7.

Bridge reconstruction

Enjoy that while it lasts. Beginning July 7, MDOT is embarking on an ambitious bridge reconstruction program that involves US-131 and will squeeze both of downtown’s major highways until Aug. 28.

Crews will be improving several bridges from I-96 to Wealthy Street SE as part of a $4.5-million project. The affected bridges are on southbound US-131 over Bridge Street, the Grand River and Market Avenue. The bridges over north and southbound US-131 from Wealthy to Grandville Avenue also are in line for a facelift.

The eastbound and westbound I-196 ramps to southbound US-131 will be closed during this work. The ramps from I-196 to Ottawa Avenue will remain open to downtown Grand Rapids. To access southbound US-131 from I-196, MDOT advises motorists to take northbound US-131 to Ann Street.

The southbound US-131 ramp to Pearl Street will be closed as well.

Southbound US-131 will have two lanes open from Leonard Street to Wealthy Street. At Leonard Street, the southbound US-131 far left lane will be an exit-only lane to eastbound I-196.

Holiday routes

Before all that happens, however, there is some good news for the upcoming weekend.

West Michigan

- I-96, Lowell Township, Kent County: will have all lanes and ramps open under M-50 with a traffic shift

- M-45 (Lake Michigan Drive), Ottawa County: will have all lanes open in each direction at 120th Avenue with a traffic shift. 120th Avenue will be closed north of M-45

- M-82 in Fremont, Newaygo County: will be closed and detoured between M-120 (Maple Island Road) and Green Street. Access for local and business traffic will be maintained. Detour: M-120, 24th Street and Stone Road

- US-131, Mecosta County: will have all lanes open over Three Mile Road. Three Mile Road will be closed under US-131 and detoured via local roads

Southwest Michigan

- I-94, Berrien County: will have two lanes open in each direction over Hickory Creek with westbound traffic crossed over onto eastbound lanes

- I-94 Business Loop (Stadium Drive), Kalamazoo County: will have one lane open in each direction from 11th Street to just east of Seneca Drive

- I-196, Allegan County: will have one lane open in each direction from the US-31 split to the Allegan/Ottawa county line

- I-196, Van Buren County: will have one lane open in each direction over County Road 378 (32nd Avenue)

- I-196, Van Buren County: will have one lane open in each direction under M-140

- M-96 (Columbia Avenue): Calhoun County, will be closed over Raymond Road with a detour posted

“The Fourth of July holiday is one of the highlights of summer in Michigan,” said Kirk T. Steudle, state transportation director. “In an effort to help motorists get out and enjoy all of their activities and events, MDOT will suspend work on most projects for the holiday, but we have to keep some lane restrictions in place. We urge all motorists to drive with caution through work zones. Buckle up, obey the posted speed limits, pay attention to road signs and orange barrels and put the cell phone away while driving. We want everyone to get to their holiday destinations — and back home — safely.”

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